Gearing Up for Spring!

This is what spring looks like to me!

Hey there, Adventurers!

Can you feel it? Spring is in the air and it’s time to ramp up the activity level! I’m just so excited I can’t hardly take it!

Personally, I’m gearing up for TWO half marathons in the next 3 weeks. I’m going to Run The Bluegrass in Lexington, Kentucky on Easter weekend and then the Allerton Trails Half Marathon on April 6^th in Monticello, IL (near Decatur, IL). If you’re looking for some last minute running plans, you can still get in on either of these events. The Allerton event is especially nice because, even at this late date, sign up is only $40 for the half marathon or $30 for the 10K.

CLICK ME!!

How am I going to get through 2 half marathons on back-to-back weekends, you ask? With help from my Adventure Foot Sponsors, of course! You have probably heard the news by now that I’m an ambassador for Nuun Hydration, but I’m also adding a second sponsor to the blog roll this week! I’m pleased to bring you the very best energy gel on the market: V-Fuel Endurance Gel!

CLICK ME, TOO!

V-Fuel is a Colorado based company, and they’re flipping the script on regular old Gu and have created a true endurance fuel that tastes good and keeps my tummy feeling good too (regular users of Gu will catch my meaning). I’m going to write a full product review on both Nuun and V-Fuel in the near future- so stay tuned. Even better: I’m planning a CONTEST for April where you could win product or gear from my sponsors! Woo hoo!

Heartland Road Runners Club is in full swing right now, but there’s still plenty of time to start running for Spring. Come check out “Road Runners After Dark” if you want a taste of how lovely running with the club can be. RRAD meets at a restaurant every Tuesday night for a fun, social run. No runner left behind, we promise! For the month of March, we will be meeting at Kelly’s Restaurant in Quincy. Running starts promptly at 6:15.

I simply do not get tired of this photo of Jackie Joyner Kersee handing me a medal at Bridge The Gap.

And as long as you’re running, you should plan on signing up for Quincy’s biggest running event, Bridge the Gap to Health Race! This race, now in its 13^th year, supports the MedAssist program. MedAssist helps low income patients afford prescription medications. The race will once again be marshaled by Olympic Gold Medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee. If you’ve never been handed a medal by an Olympian, now is your chance! There are a ton of options for this race including a walking or running half marathon, walking or running 10K and a running 5K. There will also be a 5K Leisure Walk which starts an hour after the other races start.

Best day ever?!! Greg Davis of Madison Davis Bicycles and I pose by my brand new Trek Madone!

And, saving perhaps the best for last: It’s BIKE SEASON! I’m so darned excited about starting to really rack up the miles on my bike, I can’t even contain myself. If you’re new to cycling, I suggest you try out the Quincy Bike Club’s Thursday night group. This group will start meeting on April 4^th. The park which it meets at is TBD- I’ll keep you posted. Once again this year I’ll be leading “Wednesday Night B Group.” B-Group for 2013 will B a medium to medium/fast paced ride and I’m going to work in some training exercises for all of us. Maybe one week we’ll work out on some hill repeats. Maybe one week we’ll do some flat sprints. I don’t know. We’re going to be better cyclists for our work on Wednesday B Group! Wednesday A and B group (A Group= really fast and experienced riders) will both leave from Madison Park Shelter House at 6 pm. The first B group will meet April 3. I will bring Easter candy as a bribe.

OH! And don’t forget to attend the Grand Opening celebration at Madison Davis Bicycles. It’s April 11^th at 6 pm. The new shop is absolutely gorgeous and Greg is planning some great sales to kick it off. You won’t want to miss it.

And Adventure Foot Readers- don’t miss this great spring sale from my blog sponsor, Nuun Hydration! $18 for a 4 pack of Nuun plus a water bottle (most of the 4 packs are normally $24 without a water bottle, so yeah. Stock up now.). It’s a great deal!